Week 4 -- January 28

January 28:
We were at Hamanasi’s at 6:30 am for the breakfast buffet and then boarded our 30(?) ft craft with eight other passengers (Sandy and Pam from MA, Kate and Todd from MN, a couple from McMinnville, and another couple from MN) and two crew, John and Sam. The weather was spectacular, powder puff clouds and brilliant blue sky. Glover’s Reef, named for a 17th century pirate, is about 35 miles offshore. We sped along, disturbing the occasional flying fish, for about an hour and a half. Most of the ride was smooth, except for a fifteen minute stretch of heavy waves that bounced us off of our seats. I was unable to contain my shrieks every time we hit a particularly rough spot, which I think amused our fellow passengers. Our first stop along the reef was in calm water 10-12 feet deep. The coral formations were impressive, and we spotted surgeonfish, parrot fish, trigger fish, a few butterfly fish, and the mesmerizing yellow tailed damselfish. I also saw a manta ray gliding along the conch littered sandy bottom. Dad observed a couple of nurse sharks, but happily, I was unaware of their presence. I stayed out of the water at the next stopping point, while Dad went in, and then we headed to one of the cayes (Middle Caye) to eat a lunch prepared by Hamanasi. Middle Caye is home to the Glover’s Reef Research Station, and I was surprised to see civilization this far out at sea. We ate right on the pier and then motored to our final snorkel destination, which was at a depth of 20 feet or so. The return trip was much less bone jarring.